The knee is a complex hinge type of joint that consists of bone, cartilage, tendons, and ligamentous structures that are vulnerable to injury during high-intensity rotational and explosive movements. As such, acute knee injuries are often associated with sporting activities. It’s estimated that 2.5 million acute knee injuries occur in the United States each year. As with most musculoskeletal conditions—outside of certain emergency situations—treatment guidelines recommend non-surgical approaches as the initial treatment option.

In a 2024 study, researchers focused on three common acute knee injuries based on ligament injury, meniscus injury, and patellar dislocation:

• Outside of a full (grade III) tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), MOST acute ligament injuries can be treated non-surgically, especially in the absence of other concurrent injuries.
• There is also limited evidence that acute traumatic meniscus tears, especially in those younger than 40 years of age, can be successfully managed non-surgically with similar one-year outcomes as patients assigned to a surgical group.
• With respect to an initial patellar dislocation, current studies support the use of a knee extension brace for a short time frame followed by progression to weightbearing to tolerance and strengthening exercises that emphasize terminal extension (fully straightening out the knee).

The diagnostic process for acute knee injury includes a review of the patient’s health history, including how the injury occurred; a physical examination, which may include analysis of gait, postural alignment, and the injured knee to determine the degree of injury to specific structures of the knee; and appropriate diagnostic imaging/tests, if needed.

At this point, a doctor of chiropractic can determine a treatment plan that may include manual therapies, knee-specific stretches/exercises, physiotherapy modalities, activity modifications, and anti-inflammatory measures, like ice or dietary/supplement recommendations. Treatment may also focus on addressing issues beyond the knee that may have led to postural faults that could have contributed to injury to the knee. This may include the foot/ankle, hip, and even lower back.

It’s estimated that about 80% of knee injuries can be managed non-surgically. Recovery will depend on the severity of injury, how well a patient adheres to their treatment plan, and their overall pre-injury health status. For minor injuries, a knee injury patient may resume their normal activities within two to six weeks, and in moderate cases, it may take six to twelve weeks to recover. However, severe knee injuries may take months to achieve maximum improvement.